Computer programmer guilty of trying to frame garda

A computer programmer who alleged a garda planted drugs on him has been found guilty of making a false complaint to the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).

Dublin District Court heard Thomas Stralkowski (57), a German national formerly of St Columba's Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, but now living in Co Wicklow tried to frame Garda Sgt Richard Thornton in letters sent to the Garda watchdog.

He had pleaded not guilty to giving false and misleading information to Gsoc in February of last year. Sentencing was adjourned pending the preparation of probation report.

A letter from Stralkowski arrived at Gsoc's office on Upper Abbey Street in Dublin on February 5th, 2015 and was referred to officer Carl Ryan for investigation.

‘Planted’

Mr Ryan told Judge Ann Ryan the letter alleged that Sgt Thornton, of Kilkenny station, had “planted” drugs on Stralkowski at Trim Courthouse on February 3rd, 2015.

He said he viewed CCTV footage from Trim Courthouse and had concerns about the veracity of the account provided by Stralkowski. He said it showed Sgt Thornton attempting to serve some documents, additional evidence in another case, on Stralkowski but he refused to accept them.

Mr Ryan wrote to Stralkowski and asked him to visit the Gsoc offices for an interview and warned him it was an offence to give false information to the watchdog. Stralkowski stood over his allegations in a subsequent letter.

He also made derogatory remarks about the Gsoc officer and claimed gardaí were “a corrupt Mafia-like organisation.

Mr Ryan spoke to Sgt Thornton who confirmed that he had tried to served evidence on Stralkowski on the date in question.He said the accused told him “I don’t want to speak with you without my solicitor present”.

Judge Ryan rejected defence submission that there was insufficient evidence or proof that Stralkowski was the author of the letters. Stralkowski, who has been living in Ireland for nine years, has 24 prior criminal convictions for theft, public order and motoring offences. He also has other convictions in Germany going back to 1984, the court heard.